Connor reviews 'Django Unchained'

Every once in a while, a movie comes along where everything just clicks together. From the direction, to the cast and finally the screenplay, these elements work together in perfect harmony. Quentin Tarantino's latest gem, "Django Unchained," is without a doubt one of the biggest achievements of the year.

The film is set in the South two years before the Civil War. During the night, a group of shackled slaves trek across mountains and through forests with their two masters. Enter Dr. King Schultz (Christoph Waltz), a sophisticated and witty bounty hunter who needs the assistance of Django (Jamie Foxx).

After buying him from his previous owners, Shultz trains Django in the art of bounty hunting. Over the course of a few months, Django becomes Shultz's most-trusted confidant as the two track down and kill various targets wanted by the law.

When springtime approaches, Schultz and Django travel to Mississippi to rescue Django's wife from a ruthless plantation owner named Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio). To gain Candie's trust, they disguise themselves as businessmen looking to buy a top-notch slave. The events are follow are wickedly hilarious and completely unexpected.

Knowing it's a Quentin Tarantino movie, it should be expected that it will be bloody, controversial and a lot of fun. "Django Unchained" is nearly three hours in length, yet the run time flies by thanks to Tarantino's near-perfect script and the performances from Waltz, DiCaprio, Foxx and Samuel L. Jackson.

Tarantino's writing style is so well loved because it's authentic and one-of-a-kind. He succeeds time and time again because of the originality of his stories. From revenge thrillers to gangsters, to the Holocaust and now slavery, his unique style has given him a plethora of masterpieces. He takes overused stories (such as revenge in "Kill Bill") and completely turns it on its head.

In all his films, his heroes and villains are equally and endlessly appealing and his dialogue plays like music to the ears. Everything about his films satisfy and leave audiences wanting more.

Waltz is brilliant as bounty hunter and ex-dentist Dr. King Schultz. As a mentor to Django, he is a sort of mix between Mr. Miyagi and Darth Vader. He is kind and compassionate but also devoid of a moral conscience. Waltz is immediately likable thanks to the characters vicious morals and endless linguistic ability. He is truly the cinematic wine and dine man of the century. After a bit of sweet talk, don't be surprised if you get a bullet in the head.

DiCaprio is also excellent as wealthy businessman Calvin Candie. Like Schultz, the character has an equal balance of sanity and madness. As Candie smokes his long cigarettes and brutally watches a slave be eaten by dogs, it's clear that only Tarantino could create something so brilliantly twisted.

"Django Unchained" is undoubtedly one of the best films of the year. It's an equal mix of comedy, drama and adventure that only Tarantino could come up with. Though it may be too brutal for some audiences, it is definitely worth it to see the latest figment of Tarantino's endlessly brilliant imagination.